subject

verb

sub·​ject səb-ˈjekt How to pronounce subject (audio)
ˈsəb-ˌjekt
subjected; subjecting; subjects
Synonyms of subjectnext

transitive verb

1
a
: to bring under control or dominion : subjugate
b
: to make (someone, such as oneself) amenable to the discipline and control of a superior
2
: to make liable : predispose
3
: to cause or force to undergo or endure (something unpleasant, inconvenient, or trying)
was subjected to constant verbal abuse
subjection noun

Examples of subject in a Sentence

Attila the Hun subjected most of Europe to his barbaric pillage.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Capitol police officers have sued over the initiative in a Washington, DC federal court, saying the fund could further embolden people who have already subjected them to harassment and death threats. Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 5 June 2026 Such orders are intended to prevent an individual from subjecting another person to acts of violence, intimidation or harassment. ABC News, 3 June 2026 Having stuck with him through unfair scrutiny, Democrats then subjected him to fair scrutiny — questions about whether a man who struggled to perform the public duties of a president could do them into his late 80s. David Weigel, semafor.com, 3 June 2026 Digwa then claimed in bodycam footage released by police that Nowak had grabbed his turban and subjected him to racist abuse. Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for subject

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of subject was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Subject.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subject. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

subject

1 of 3 noun
sub·​ject ˈsəb-jikt How to pronounce subject (audio)
1
a
: a person under the authority or control of another
b
: a person who owes loyalty to a monarch or state
2
a
: a department of knowledge or learning
b
: an individual (as a person or a mouse) that is studied or experimented on
c
: the person or thing discussed : topic
the subject of an essay
3
: a noun or term functioning as a noun about which something is stated in the predicate of a sentence
"child" in "the child threw the ball" is the subject

subject

2 of 3 adjective
1
: owing obedience or loyalty to another
2
a
: likely to be affected by
subject to temptation
b
: having a tendency
subject to catching colds
3
: depending on
subject to your approval

subject

3 of 3 verb
sub·​ject səb-ˈjekt How to pronounce subject (audio)
1
a
: to bring under control or rule
b
: to make responsive to the discipline and control of a superior
2
: to make likely
his poor conduct subjected him to criticism
3
: to cause or force to put up with something difficult, unpleasant, or inconvenient
unwilling to subject us to embarrassment
subjection noun

Medical Definition

subject

noun
sub·​ject ˈsəb-jikt How to pronounce subject (audio)
1
: an individual whose reactions or responses are studied
2
: a dead body for anatomical study and dissection

Legal Definition

subject

noun
sub·​ject ˈsəb-ˌjekt How to pronounce subject (audio)
: the person upon whose life a life insurance policy is written and upon whose death the policy is payable : insured compare beneficiary sense b, policyholder

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